Patella-splint.



W. GRUNDMANN.

PATELLA SPLINT.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 8. I918.

1,313,1 81. Patented Aug. 12,1919.

. WILLIAM GRUNDMANN, or s'r. LOUIS, MIsso-Uar;

rArnLIfA-srLmr.

Specification of Letters Patent; Patented Aug. 12, 1919- Applicationfiled April 8, 1918-. Serial No. 227,284.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lVILLrAM GRUND- MANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in PatellaSplints, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

My invention relates generally to surgical appliances and more particularly to a patella splint, the principal object of my invention being to provide a. comparatively simple appliance which can be effectively used in the treatment of fracture of the patella. or knee cap. l

Further objects of my invention are, to provide a patella splint which can be easily and quickly applied, for use; to provide an appliance which can be readily adjusted to suit. different requirements; and to provide a device which can be effectively utilized by itself or in connection with the ordinary splints and band-ages used in the treatment for fractured patella. I

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustratedin the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective view of a patella splint of my improved construction.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of "the splint.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through the center of the appliance and with dotted lines showing the limb to which said appliance is applied. 7 I

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a practical embodiment of my invention, 10 and 11 designate strips of resilient metal, preferably aluminum or brass which are curved lengthwise so as to fit over a personslimb immediately above and below the knee-joint, and formed in the ends of these curved metal strips are transversely disposed strap openings 12.

' Formed integral with the inner edges of the central portions of the strips 10 and 11 are upwardly curved flanges 13 and 14 respectively, which when the device is applied for use, engage the limb immediately above and below the patella. I

Formed integral with the strips 10 and 11 near the ends of these curved flanges "are outwardly projecting perforated cars 15 in whlch arefloosely mounted elongated bolts or headed rods 16, the ends opposite the heads thereof being threaded so as to; receive suitable nuts 17. By proper manipulation of these nuts 17 on the threaded portions of the bolts, the parts 10 and 11 can be gradually adjusted or moved toward each other or in the event that (the nuts are loosened, said parts 10 and 11 can be spread apart.

Adapted to slide freely through the strap openings 12- of each member 10 and 11 is a strap 18, preferably of leather, one end of each strap being provided with a buckle 19 whereby the ends of the strap may be brought together and secured.

.In practice it is desiraiblethat the ends of the straps when secured be arranged so'that the'buckles 19 occupy positions on topof the strips 10 and 11, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Arranged tofslide freely. on each strap is a substantially rectangular pad 20 of leather, heavy fabric or the like, and when the splint is properly applied for use, these pads are positioned directly over the popliteal space with their inner edges abutting or bearing directly against each other, as illustrated in Fig. 3. These pads provide a substantial and at the same time yielding support for the straps which connect the ends of the members 10 and 11.

It will be understood that my improved splint is always applied over a bandage, an adhesive strip, or surgical dressing, and which bandage or dressing is, of course, applied to the limb as soon after the injury as possible. a

My improved splint if applied immediately or soon aftera fracture of the patella, will effectively prevent the fractured portions of the patella from drawing away from each other or if the appliance is to be used during the entire course of treatment for fractured patella, an ordinary or stationary splint should be applied over the popliteal space either with or without plaster of Paris and the device constructed as herein disclosed should be strapped in position directly over this stationary splint.

In the event that the portions of the fractured patella are drawn together with sul tires the splint should be applied loosely so as not to cause undue pressure upon the ligaments or muscles immediately adjacent.

to the patella. In fact, whenever the splint is applied, the straps must be sufficiently loose to permit the free circulation of the blood.

If desired, each part 10 and 11 of the splint and its strap may be wrapped with bandages so that the device when applied will exert only gentle pressure against the tissues and bones.

lVhen applied for use, it is desirable that the inner edges of the leather pads 20 bear directly against each other, for by such arrangement, the straps are maintained in alinement with the metal parts 10 and 11 and which latter are positioned over the top of the limb directly above and below the patella.

The principal usefulness of my improved splint is in the holding together of the fragments of thepatella immediately after fracture and the preventing of said fragments from drawing apart during treatment.

lVhere union of the fractured parts has been brought about by sutures or plaster of Paris splints, my improved device is especially effective for the reason that it provides a firm and substantial support when passive movement is started and continucd. In such conditions, the patient can use the affected limb with much greater freedom and with greater comfort than where ordinary splints or bandages are used.

An appliance of my improved construction is comparatively simple, can be easily applied for use, is readily adjustable, and is very effective in the use for which it is intended.

It will be readily understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved patella splint may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of my invention,

the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A patella splint comprising a pair of strips of resilient material which are curved lengthwise and adapted to fit transversely upon the front of a limb immediately above and below the knee joint, and a flexible member associated with each strip, which flexible member is adapted to pass entirely around beneath the limb and pass lengthwise over the resilient strip with which it is associated.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for 2. A patella splint comprising a pair of strips of resilient material, said strips being curved lengthwise and adapted to fit over the limb immediately above and below the knee joint, a flexible member associated with each strip and adapted to pass beneath the limb for retaining said strip in position for use, adjustable means connecting said resilient member, and an adjustable pad on each flexible member.

3. A patella splint comprising a pair of strips of resilient material which are curved lengthwise and adapted to fit transversely upon the front of a limb immediately above and below the knee oint, a flexible member associated with each strip, which flexible member is adapted to pass entirely around beneath the limb and pass lengthwise over the resilient strip with which it is associated, and a pad loosely mounted on each flexible member.

4. A patella splint comprising a pair of strips of resilient material which are curved lengthwise and adapted to fit transversely on the front of a limb immediately above and below the knee joint, the inner or adj acent edges of which are curved upwardly, and a strap associated with each strip, which strap is adapted to pass around the limb.

5. A patella splint comprising a pair of strips of resilient material which are curved lengthwise and adapted to fit transversely over the front of a limb immediately above and below the knee joint, the inner or acjacent edges of which are curved upwardly, a strap associated with each strip, and a pad loosely mounted on each strap.

6. A patella splint comprising a pair of adjustably connected strips of resilient material curved lengthwise and transversely, means associated with said strips for retaining the same upon a limb adjacent to the knee, and pads adjustably carried by said retaining means, which pads are adapted to overlie the popliteal space.

7. A patella splint comprising a pair of members formed of resilient material, which members are adapted to lie over the front portion of a limb immediately above and below the patella, flexible members connected to the ends of said resilient members, and adjustable means carried by each of said flexible members for retaining the latter in alinement with the resilient members when the splint is applied-for use.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature this 2nd day of April, 1918.

l/VILLIAM GRUNDMANN.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. G. 

